Options for Acid Reflux after Bariatric Surgery
Are you struggling with acid reflux symptoms after bariatric surgery? Acid reflux occurs when the stomach acid goes back up to the oesophagus. Bariatric surgery in itself is a significant weight loss process that reduces the symptoms of acid reflux.
However a small group of patients develop gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or acid reflux which can worsen after bariatric surgery.. This is more common after certain procedures such as the Sleeve Gastrectomy and the Mini Bypass. It is very uncommon although not unheard of after the Roux Y Gastric (standard) bypass.
Dr Balaji is a leading consultant specialising in bariatric and upper GI surgery. Being a specialist in esophageal diseases he has a special interest in reflux after bariatric surgery. He has a track record of writing books chapters and presenting at international conferences on this subject. He has helped several patients overcome acid reflux or heartburn after surgery. Find out the best choices for preventing heartburn.
What is Acid Reflux?
In Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), stomach acid moves out of the stomach and travels back to the oesophagus during digestion. This backflow causes heartburn or acid reflux, which causes a burning sensation or bitter taste in the chest or throat. Bariatric surgeries can reduce the symptoms of GERD, whereas some types can worsen them.
What's the connection between acid reflux and gastric bypass?
Gastric bypass is the most popular bariatric surgery for weight loss. As a result, the procedure has few manageable side effects like acid reflux or heartburn.
Bariatric surgeries reroute the food travel through the intestines or change the shape of the stomach. The changes affect the LES or lower oesophagal sphincter. The LES resembles a muscle ring located at the oesophagus’s base. The LES allows food into your stomach and closes to prevent substances from reentering the oesophagus.
After surgery, if LES is affected, it allows stomach contents to travel back into the oesophagus. It leads to acid reflux and GERD symptoms.
Why do people get acid reflux after bariatric surgery?
After gastric bypass surgery, the stomach is reduced to a smaller size. It can hold 100 to 300 ml of liquid or food simultaneously. The pressure within a small stomach is higher. Moreover, the LES, or Lower oesophagal sphincter, prevents the stomach content from travelling into the oesophagus. After bariatric surgery, the pressure increases, and the gastric acid is pushed into the oesophagus. The increase in intra-abdominal pressure results in acid reflux.
Not every person who undergoes bariatric surgery has acid reflux symptoms. It is distinctly more common after Sleeve Gastrectomy and a Mini Bypass and less after a RYGB (Standard bypass). By consulting a well-experienced acid-reflux doctor can help you overcome this annoying aftereffect of bariatric surgery.
Acid reflux symptoms
- Throat irritation
- Pain swallowing
- Oral acidity
- Heartburns
- Stomach upset
Acid reflux after bariatric surgery - treatment options
After appropriate investigations, you may be prescribed medicines or offered surgical correction to cure the reflux after bariatric surgery.
Medications for acid reflux after bariatric surgery
Doctors prescribe various medications to relieve acid reflux or heartburn caused by bariatric surgery. PPIs, or Proton pump inhibitors, are the initial medicines for acid reflux symptoms. These drugs reduce the production of stomach acid and prevent heartburn. Doctors also recommend prokinetic agents to strengthen muscle contractions against the GI tract (LES) and lower oesophageal sphincter contractions.
Acid reflux surgery options
If medications don’t work, then doctors recommend acid reflux surgery options for faster recovery. Acid reflux surgery types include,
RYGB surgery
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, or RYGB, treats acid reflux symptoms. Compared to adjustable gastric band and sleeve gastrectomy, RYGB is a safe and proven surgery for cure of reflux and also achieve excellent weight loss.
In RYGB surgery, the surgeon reduces the stomach portion and connects it to the small intestine. Therefore, it reduces the production of stomach acid and promotes weight loss. Since weight loss relieves pressure on the stomach, it reduces the symptoms of acid reflux.
LINX surgery
In LINX surgery, the surgeon implants a magnetic ring around the base of your oesophagus. The ring closes the oesophagus after eating and reduces stomach acid travel. So, closing the gut after eating will reduce acid reflux.
Stretta procedure
The Stretta procedure helps strengthen a person’s LES muscles without significant surgery. In the Stretta procedure, doctors insert a device into the throat. The device produces low-heat radiofrequency to strengthen the LES muscles.
What are the risks of acid reflux?
Suppose you have any GERD symptoms or acid reflux after bariatric surgery. In that case, it’s essential to consult a doctor for an immediate remedy. Untreated acid reflux may turn into severe conditions like,
- Erosive esophagitis is an inflammation of the oesophagus.
- Esophageal cancer
- Barrett’s oesophagus, changes in the lining of the oesophagus
- Peptic strictures, narrowing of the oesophagus causing difficulty in swallowing
How to prevent acid reflux after bariatric surgery?
Here are a few tips to prevent heartburn causes or acid reflux after bariatric surgery,
- Keep an eye on your weight and maintain your BMI to relieve the abdominal pressure.
- Eat small meals because too much food can increase the pressure in your stomach and worsen acid reflux.
- Avoid foods that increase stomach pressure, such as fried foods, alcohol, spicy foods, citrus fruits, carbonated drinks, and high-fat foods.
- Understand the importance of post-op care and follow-ups after bariatric surgery.
Find the best acid reflux doctor in Dubai - Consult Dr Balaji in Dubai
Acid reflux after bariatric surgery is the last hurdle to attaining your ideal weight. Dr Balaji is a consultant surgeon with more than three decades of expertise in accomplishing successful weight loss surgeries. He provides genuine recovery solutions and makes the patient comfortable after the procedure, reducing potential aftereffects.
If you have acid reflux symptoms, don’t hesitate to consult Dr Balaji. Get answers to all your queries on weight loss surgeries!